Need help with International shipping

[Shenanigans]

I've never sold outside the US so I'm wondering how I go about it. Do I have to pay any fees? Can I get insurance and tracking on it?

[Ringlets]

I'm not from the US so I think someone else can give you better info on the more technical side , but its not hard to sell stuff internationally - that said I would definitely recommend sending the parcel with insurance, tracking and delivery confirmation  (especially if its something valuable, and especially if its to certain countries known to have more risky postal sytems)  to protect both you and your buyer if the parcel went MIA

Post Merge: January 06, 2015, 05:10:04 AM

(you will still have to pay Paypal fees BTW -the buyer will possibly have to pay customs fees depending on the value of the item )

[ponylady]

International shipping is not difficult or complicated. It just involves a few more steps than shipping a package within the United States

First, if you don't already have one, get a postage scale. Even if you are taking your packages to the post office, you need to know the weight so that you can give price quotes to international customers. You can get an inexpensive scale at an office supply store, Wal-Mart, or on eBay. You do not have to purchase an elaborate scale that connects to your computer. All you need is something to give you the weight of the package so that you can calculate the postage and tell the customer how much he will be charged.

Once you know the weight of the item you will be shipping, and the destination country, visit USPS.com and calculate the postage fee. Just visit the main page of USPS.com, click "international shipping," select the destination country, and enter the weight.

Now the next thing you will need to do is prepare the actual package. I usually use First Class International for several reasons.  It is the least expensive method, it usually arrives in the same amount of time as Priority, and most my packages weigh under a pound. This method requires a USPS custom form 2976, which is free from your local PO.  Here is a link that is a little more helpful and easy to understand when dealing with First Class International.

http://www.stamps.com/usps/first-class-international/

As far as tracking and insurance ,your only real guarantee on that is to ship Express which is highly expensive.  Priority does offer tracking and insurance up to $200 but it is as reliable as First Class and First Class is obviously cheaper.  And to answer your question about fee's, there are no fees for you except what Paypal will charge you. Any customs fees are the buyers responsibility. They will need to do there homework before purchasing because every country charges a different rate.

I am sure I am missing some things here, so let me think about it some more and get back to you.

[NoDivision]

Also, while it is not 'guaranteed,' depending on where you are sending to first class mail can come with delivery confirmation. There are more countries added to the list all the time (you can see that list here http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc2_022.htm) but note that this is only available for postage that is purchased online. It's a nice bonus to have though, so I buy a lot of my international postage through the USPS website

[Ringlets]

Thanks PL and NoD - that's some helpful info      my brain was fried yesterday. I could have added more stuff but I just couldnt think of it at the time      

[DaffyDilly]

When you fill in a customs form you must put the value of the items paid by the buyer - otherwise if the parcel is lost and you need to claim you can only claim up to what was written on the form. Plus in most countries it's illegal to declare a false value.

Technically you shouldn't, but I always mark my parcels as a gift. The receiver may still have to pay customs duties on the parcel but usually less than if it was marked as a purchase.

Lastly if you need to return an item internationally, it should be marked as a return to sender. You should be able to get any fees paid on the way in reimbursed too, and the sender shouldn't need to pay any at their end (which can result in them refusing to do so).

[bluerose9978]

Technically you shouldn't, but I always mark my parcels as a gift. The receiver may still have to pay customs duties on the parcel but usually less than if it was marked as a purchase.

Unless it actually is a gift, marking it as a gift is actually falsifying a customs form. I wouldn't do it unless you know the person, it is an Arena transaction and you have dealt with them before or they have a lot of good feedback. I definitely wouldn't do it on eBay.

[Wardah]

I've never sold anything internationally but I have done quite a few international trades. Usually I put the value as the retail value (what it would be to the average person who doesn't collect) instead of collectors value and mark it as a gift. So if for example I sent a mail order pony I'd still mark it as $5 even tho it goes for much higher here or on ebay.

[Miss_Pompon]

I do the same as Wardah, I put a non-collector value when I ship internationally, usually $1 per pony.
French insurance system is either depending on the weight of the package or of a fixed amount of money, not on the value on the custom form.

[Shenanigans]

Thanks everyone

I'm possibly sending something to Mexico. I calculated a 6 ounce item in a bubble mailer to be $5.67 for first class international?? Is that right?? It seems like it should be more and I feel so confused

[bluerose9978]

Thanks everyone

I'm possibly sending something to Mexico. I calculated a 6 ounce item in a bubble mailer to be $5.67 for first class international?? Is that right?? It seems like it should be more and I feel so confused

Did you calculate it as a package or large envelope? If it's like a pony you need to calculate it as a package and it should cost around $7-$8 I believe.

[Shenanigans]

Thanks everyone

I'm possibly sending something to Mexico. I calculated a 6 ounce item in a bubble mailer to be $5.67 for first class international?? Is that right?? It seems like it should be more and I feel so confused

Did you calculate it as a package or large envelope? If it's like a pony you need to calculate it as a package and it should cost around $7-$8 I believe.

Ok, thanks It is a pony and I was doing large envelope instead of package.

[Ringlets]

Thanks for the info Bluerose     

[bluerose9978]

The large envelope option is saved for anything flat. It has to be able to go through their rollers and sorters. So if it's in a bubble mailer but it's a rigid object such as a pony, it needs to be calculated as a package.

[Shenanigans]

The large envelope option is saved for anything flat. It has to be able to go through their rollers and sorters. So if it's in a bubble mailer but it's a rigid object such as a pony, it needs to be calculated as a package.

Thank you, that's really good to know for future sales